Newsletter

Effingham Methodists prepare for annual camp meeting

SPRINGFIELD - For the 220th time, worshippers will gather this week in Springfield for the Effingham County United Methodist Camp Meeting.

The six-day gathering will begin with a 7:30 p.m. service tonight and will feature revival-type events such as preaching, singing and fellowship.

Morning and evening services will commence each night through Wednesday.

This year's camp meeting preacher will be the Rev. Wayne Racz. Racz of Savannah, is senior vice president of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation.

He said he considered his selection to preach at the meeting an honor.

"It's also a big responsibility, as well," he said. "It's flattering that someone would think, 'You might be able to do this,' and it's humbling at the same time."

Racz previously spent eight years as a preacher at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Savannah. Before his calling to the ministry, Racz had spent time as an accountant and as a lawyer. "Then God called me into the ministry," he said.

Racz said he's attended the Effingham Camp Meeting before, but this time it will be in a very different capacity.

"I think that - I hope that - people will be able to have a personal experience with God through worship and camp," he said. "The themes through the week of services will focus on what is meaningful and important in worship today."

The camp, which began in 1790, is now located on Laurel Street in downtown Springfield. Aside from the main camp meeting, a children's camp for rising 3rd-5th graders will begin Sunday, ending Tuesday evening.

The campgrounds are centrally anchored by an open-air tabernacle that is surrounded by family living quarters for the week called "tents," which are simple, open-aired buildings.

Keith Martin of Springfield United Methodist Church will serve as the camp meeting's song leader.

In all, Racz said he wants people to remember the week's events and not him, specifically.

"I hope that people will focus on what is meaningful and reflect on worship today," he said.